As the White Sox evolve into something more than just a young group of unproven talent and into, as they say they are, a postseason contending team, there are probably a half dozen candidates to be the 2020 “face of the franchise.”
For Brooks Boyer, whose job it is to market this blossoming team, it’s something of a dream. In recent lean years, broadcaster Ken Harrelson could lay claim to such a title. Nothing against Hawk, who will enter baseball’s Hall of Fame this summer, but it’s time to move on.
“Who’s the face of the franchise? It’s to be determined,” Boyer, the Sox’ long time vice president for marketing said. “There are so many candidates.”
That sure seems like a good problem to have. Shortstop Tim Anderson, left fielder Eloy Jimenez and third baseman Yoan Moncada, right-hander Lucas Giolito are young stars or budding stars who are one bunch of swagger, intellect, smarts and style wrapped into one. Jose Abreu is a proven veteran and the Sox’ best player over the last six seasons. Luis Robert and first-round draft picks Nick Madrigal and Andrew Vaughn have arrows pointing up.
“We’re trying to change the perception of the team,” Boyer said of the “Change the Game” theme. “It’s not just TA. Yoan Moncada plays louder, faster, bolder. And Eloy. … Go down the list of our players. They’re trying to change the perception of the White Sox and we’re OK talking about it.”
Anderson, though, set himself apart by winning a batting title, being active in the community, making a year-round home in the south suburbs with his wife and daughters, working hard at his craft and playing with an edge.
You’ve seen the bat flips, you’ve seen the edge. It’s how he rolls. Young fans like it, and as everyone knows, baseball needs young fans. Anderson is doing a Bat Flipping 101 clinic at SoxFest Saturday.
“I showed that to you last year,” Anderson said of his edgy style at the first day of SoxFest Friday at McCormick Place. “I’ve been telling you that since last year. Don’t think otherwise. I go out and play hard and give it all nine. I’m coming to the ballpark ready every day.”
When Anderson missed a month with a broken ankle last season, something intangible was noticeably missing. Teammates said it was the presence Anderson took to the field.
New teammate Nomar Mazara said he admired Anderson’s style from the other side of the field the last few years as a Texas Ranger.
“Let me tell you something, a player like that you don’t try changing,” Mazara said. “It was the same with [ex-temmate] Rougned Odor. He’s my guy. People think he’s like a bulldog but he’s a cool guy. It’s the same with Tim. Don’t change his game, don’t change his personality. If people get mad at him I say, why? Because he’s beating your [butt]?”
Anderson enters 2020 with a batting title in his pocket, but more importantly, he said, knowledge.
“Learned some more things, learned some things about myself,” he said. “I learned how to hit baseballs. Certain pitches, what swing I need to have on that pitch. Being consistent and more so knowing myself. And taking care of myself mentally as well because that’s going to eliminate all that frustration [of failure].”
The overriding mood at SoxFest among Anderson and teammates echoed what manager Rick Renteria has been saying: They believe they are playoff worthy.
“I’ve got the same feeling,” Anderson said. “I’m excited, you’re excited. We’ve got the pieces. The door is wide open for us. All we have to do is go out and take it.
“You see the lineup from top to bottom. It’s a playoff lineup, right? We not put that expectation on it. Why not set the bar high? The whole goal is to win a championship.”
Lofty, indeed. But there are no shortage of faces to try and make that happen.
